NOCTILUCENT CLOUD SIGHTINGS: The first noctilucent clouds (NLCs) of northern summer have arrived--and they're better than expected. NASA's AIM spacecraft is monitoring a huge blue cloud pinwheeling around the North Pole, while sky watchers in northern Europe are reporting electric-blue tendrils in the night sky. FULL STORY.
THE STRONGEST SOLAR FLARES SINCE 2017: For the first time in more than two years, the sun is really flaring. Today, May 29th, Earth-orbiting satellites detected an M1-class solar flare (0724 UT) followed by a C9-class flare (1046 UT). Both came from a likely sunspot hiding just behind the sun's northeastern limb. This image from NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory shows material thrown up by one of the blasts:
These are the strongest solar flares since Oct. 20, 2017--the last time the sun produced an M-class eruption. In fact, they might be even stronger they they seem. The explosions were partially eclipsed by the edge of the sun, reducing their apparent intensity.
So far the flares have not much affected Earth. The underlying sunspot is facing away from our planet. However, that could soon change. Solar rotation will bring the 'spot over the limb within the next 24 to 48 hours. Future flares could be geoeffective.
Technically, we don't know for sure that the active region *is* a sunspot. The underlying dark cores have not yet been sighted. Confirmation awaits better viewing geometry--probably tomorrow. Stay tuned! Aurora alerts: SMS Texts.
Realtime Space Weather Photo Gallery
Free: Spaceweather.com Newsletter
THE INFINITY BLACK PEARL: It came from Tahiti--and now it's been to the edge of space. On April 15, 2020, this genuine Black Tahitian South Sea Cultured Pearl flew to the stratosphere onboard an Earth to Sky Calculus cosmic ray balloon, soaring 107,611 feet above the Sierra Nevada mountains of central California:
You can have it for $249.95. The students of Earth to Sky Calculus are selling these exotic space pearls to fund their cosmic ray monitoring program.
Measuring 9 mm in diameter, the pearl is mounted on a 925 sterling silver infinity twist and suspended on a matching 17 inch long sterling silver chain. Each pearl comes with a greeting card showing the pendant in flight and telling the story of its journey to the edge of space.
Far Out Gifts: Earth to Sky Store
All sales support hands-on STEM education
Realtime Aurora Photo Gallery
Free: Spaceweather.com Newsletter
Realtime Space Weather Photo Gallery
Free: Spaceweather.com Newsletter